Low Porosity vs. High Porosity Hair: How to Tell Which One You Have
If you've ever bought a curly hair product that everyone swore by… only to wonder why it made your hair feel greasy, dry, or somehow both—you aren't alone.
For the longest time, I thought finding the perfect hair routine was all about curl type.
Was I 3A?
3B?
3C?
Turns out, the biggest game changer wasn't my curl pattern at all—it was my hair porosity.
Once I understood how my hair absorbed moisture, choosing products suddenly became so much easier.
If you've been feeling overwhelmed by all the curly hair advice online, this guide will help you figure out whether you have low porosity or high porosity hair—and how to build a routine that actually works.
First Things First... What Is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity is simply your hair's ability to absorb and hold onto moisture.
Think of every strand of hair like a pinecone.
When the outer layer (called the cuticle) stays tightly closed, moisture has a hard time getting inside.
When the cuticle is more open, water gets in easily—but it also escapes much faster.
Neither one is "good" or "bad."
They're just different.
The goal isn't to change your porosity.
The goal is to work with it instead of against it.
Low Porosity vs. High Porosity Hair
Instead of wondering which description sounds more scientific, ask yourself these questions.
If this sounds like your hair...
Water sits on your hair before soaking in.
Deep conditioner seems to sit on top.
Your wash day takes forever because your hair dries slowly.
Heavy creams make your curls feel greasy.
Products build up quickly.
Your hair usually looks shiny.
👉 You probably have low porosity hair.
If this sounds like your hair...
Your hair gets soaking wet almost instantly.
It dries surprisingly fast.
Your curls feel dry again by the next day.
Humidity makes your hair frizz.
Your hair tangles easily.
Split ends seem to appear quickly.
👉 You probably have high porosity hair.
Why This Matters More Than Curl Pattern
Here's something that surprised me...
Two people can both have beautiful 3C curls and need completely different products.
One person's hair might need lightweight hydration because moisture struggles to get inside.
The other person's hair might need richer creams and oils because moisture disappears almost immediately.
That's why copying someone else's routine doesn't always work.
Your hair isn't wrong.
It just has different needs.
The Best Routine for Low Porosity Hair
If you have low porosity hair, your biggest challenge is helping moisture get into the hair strand.
Focus on:
✔ Lightweight leave-ins
✔ Water-based moisturizers
✔ Gentle shampoo
✔ Using heat while deep conditioning
Try to avoid:
Layering too many products
Heavy butters
Thick oils that sit on top of your hair
My Favorite Products for Low Porosity Hair
Nexxus Therappe Humectress Shampoo & Conditioner
Garnier Whole Blends Honey Repairing Mask
The Best Routine for High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair usually has the opposite problem.
Moisture gets in easily...
It just doesn't stay there very long.
Focus on:
✔ Moisturizing Shampoos
✔ Rich conditioners
✔ Deep conditioning regularly
✔ Protein treatments when needed
✔ Sealing moisture with oils or creams
Try to avoid:
Skipping conditioner
Too much heat styling
Harsh shampoos that strip moisture
My Favorite Products for High Porosity Hair
Mizani Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Hair Mask
Mark Anthony Grow Long Leave In
Common Hair Porosity Myths
Myth #1: Curl pattern tells you everything
It doesn't.
Porosity often has a much bigger impact on how products perform.
Myth #2: The float test is the best way to find your porosity
Not necessarily.
Hair products, oils, and buildup can affect the results. Paying attention to how your hair behaves day to day is usually more reliable.
Myth #3: High porosity hair is unhealthy
Not always.
Some people naturally have higher porosity, while others develop it from coloring, bleaching, or heat styling.
Here are some things you need to know
Can hair porosity change?
Yes.
Coloring, bleaching, heat styling, and chemical treatments can increase your hair's porosity over time.
Can I have both low and high porosity hair?
Absolutely!
Many people have lower porosity near the roots and higher porosity on the older ends of their hair.
What's the easiest way to know my porosity?
Pay attention to how your hair behaves after washing:
Does water bead up or soak in immediately?
Does your hair stay wet for hours or dry quickly?
Do products absorb or sit on top?
Those clues are often more helpful than a single test.
Final Take
One of the biggest mistakes I made was assuming every curly hair recommendation would work for me just because we had similar curl patterns.
The truth is, understanding how your hair responds to moisture is often far more important.
Once you know whether your hair is low or high porosity, choosing products becomes less about trial and error—and more about giving your hair exactly what it needs.
✨ Millennial Diaries Picks
Low Porosity Favorites
Shop my favorite lightweight shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, and styling products for low porosity hair.
→ Shop Low Porosity Favorites
High Porosity Favorites
Shop my favorite moisturizing treatments, protein products, and sealants for high porosity hair.
→ Shop High Porosity Favorites
Once I started choosing products based on how my hair absorbs moisture instead of just whether it was curly, my wash days became so much easier. If you're still experimenting with products that don't seem to work, figuring out your porosity could be the missing piece.
